Editorial Reviews

Children's Literature - Tina Chan

Balloons are made from rubber trees. White milky latex drips from the bark of a tree into a spout. The liquid is taken to a big machine to be processed soft and clean. It is then loaded on a tanker ship, where factory crews and clerks put the liquid in a tank with a special mix and color. Forms in the shapes of balloons move on rollers. The new balloons get cleaned with water and spinning brushes. They go in an oven to make the latex strong, then they are dunked in powder. They are filled with air before going to a washing machine. The balloons are bagged and boxed, ready to be taken to the store. At the end of the rhyming book are a description and quizzes about rubber. Large, vivid color illustrations are shown to correspond with the text. The images enhance the story and they are appropriate for the age group. Reviewer: Tina Chan